Antarctic crack grows by 17 kilometers

BY
ADAM WIDMER
| PUBLISHED:
01-09-2017

Climate change caused by global warming has taken an enormous toll on planet earth with disastrous effects. Harsher winters, heavier rains that cause massive destruction, a drought that lasts longer, melting ice in the North pole among many other effects, have been the order of the day.

Antarctica has not been spared either, and the melting of glaciers have caused cracks that are now widening as each day passes. This is a grave concern to scientists as they warn the cracks will eventually give in and it's no longer a question of 'if,' but 'when.'

Crack.

According to Adrian Luckman who has been monitoring the situation on behalf of the MIDAS project,"this event will fundamentally change the face of the Antarctic Peninsula. If it doesn't go in the next few months, I'll be amazed."

A British scientist has predicted that as soon as this summer, a significant chunk of the Antarctica would have broken away as the ice shelves continue to melt. The size in question is twice the size of the Antarctic and will end up in the sea, resulting in ocean levels rising with by around 10 centimeters (4 inches). And it does not stop there as the said chunk which acts as a stopper to prevent glaciers from drifting into the ocean, so without it, the glaciers will flow into the sea. This will dip the ocean temperatures, even more, posing a danger to sea life.

Two other shelves have broken in the past, but they cannot be compared in size to this next one which is estimated to be the size of Delaware